Swiftfalcon to swoop on Frank Packer Plate 2025 rivals
After several brave efforts in top-class company, Swiftfalcon lines up in Saturday’s Frank Packer Plate (2000m) at Randwick as the even-money favourite, aiming to get back in the winner’s circle.
The consistent gelding has placed behind the best of his age group this autumn, including Broadsiding in the Hobartville Stakes and Rosehill Guineas, Linebacker in the Randwick Guineas, and Evaporate in the Carbine Club Stakes.
His regular rider Tyler Schiller is confident the three-year-old’s turn is near.
“He has been in some pretty elite company,” Schiller said.
“The horse that beat him last start (Evaporate) is no slouch, that horse only got beaten under two lengths by Mr Brightside, so it’s not like he has been getting beaten by horses that are inferior to him. They have just been really nice horses on the up and Broadsiding has shown he’s the best three-year-old in the land.”
Facing nine rivals on Saturday, including Australian Derby runner-up Firm Agreement, Swiftfalcon is expected to relish the return to 2000 metres.
“He definitely runs 2000. He was beaten under a length in the Rosehill Guineas which, up against Broadsiding and Aeliana, was a very hard task, especially the way he had to do it making two runs,” Schiller said.
“I think on the weekend we will see a different 2000 metre horse because he won’t have to make two runs. He will be strong at the finish.”
Swiftfalcon is looking to end a run of close finishes and notch his first win since taking the Listed Dulcify Quality last preparation.
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